Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
USDA Seeks Comment on Proposed Changes for the Importation of Fresh Blueberries from Chile into the United States
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Washington, D.C., March 31, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared and is accepting comments on a commodity import evaluation document (CIED) regarding fresh blueberry imports from Chile. Based on the findings of the CIED we are proposing to allow imports of blueberry fruit into the United States from the Biobio and Nuble regions under a systems approach. A systems approach combines safeguarding measures across the production continuum by growers, packers, and shippers to minimize the risk of introducing plant pests into the United States via the importation of blueberries from Chile. Currently, blueberries from regions in Chile where European grapevine moth is known to occur must be treated with methyl bromide before importation into the United States.
Upon publication in the Federal Register on March 31, 2020 you may view the CIED and make comments until June 1, 2020. Go to: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2019-0049 to submit comments. After reviewing the comments, APHIS will announce its decision regarding the import status of fresh blueberries from these two regions in Chile in a final notice.
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